Engineered Tiny Oil Droplets to Fight Wound Biofilm Infections
Official title: Engineered Polymer Nanoemulsions for Treatment of Wound Biofilm Infections
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11360181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused approach using specially designed polymer nanoemulsions to tackle stubborn, antibiotic-resistant wound infections caused by biofilms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | July 24, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $376,707 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI134770-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with chronic or acute wounds at risk for or currently infected by antibiotic-resistant biofilm-forming bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without wound infections or those with non-biofilm pathogens may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to create advanced wound therapies by making crosslinked nanoemulsions that carry antimicrobial oils. These tiny droplets are stabilized in a polymer network and can be embedded into hydrogel dressings for controlled release at the wound site. The work combines nanomedicine expertise with wound biology to test effectiveness against biofilm bacteria in lab and animal models, with the goal of reducing infection and supporting healing while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. If successful, this could lead to new, more effective treatments for hard-to-treat wounds in patients with resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster clearing of stubborn wound infections and better healing with dressings that slowly release potent antimicrobials at the wound site.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show high kill rates against biofilms in vitro, but in vivo results are more modest, making this approach a promising but cautious next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rotello, Vincent M. — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Rotello, Vincent M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Network at the University of Arizona
A NIH-supported project at the University of Arizona aims to improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers by studying biomarkers and running high-quality clinical trials.
-
Understanding how skin layers coordinate healing after injury
Researchers are studying how different layers of adult skin coordinate rapid healing after injury to prevent infection and chronic wounds.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
How diabetic wounds let Group B Streptococcus cause infections
Researchers are learning how high blood sugar, immune changes, and other bacteria in diabetic wounds help Group B Streptococcus grow and cause worse infections in people with diabetes.
-
Understanding how skin cells exchange harmful chemicals to cause injury and wound repair
A research project aims to uncover how certain chemical agents damage human skin and what happens in the early stages of blistering and inflammation.
-
Intestinal mucosal wound healing in humans
A patient-friendly look at how the lining of the gut repairs itself after injury and why this matters for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.